With its mission to continue thriving as Egypt’s most environmentally friendly holiday destination, The Global Green Award winning town of El Gouna is aiming bigger than ever. The goal? To become the first town in the region running 100% plastic free hotels. An African and MENA region role model of sustainable living and hospitality since its inception, El Gouna introduced Brita water systems first at its upscale hotel Casa Cook, before expanding to La Maison Bleue, Sheraton Miramar, Cook’s Club, Paradisio and will soon include an eagerly anticipated marvel: The Chedi El Gouna.
Casa Cook: The Red Sea Brita Pilot Venue
Soon after joining Casa Cook, GM Denis Nikolov invited Brita, the foremost water filtration system in the world, to complement his hotel’s identity as an eco-conscious luxury hideaway. The initiative saves around 115 thousand plastic bottles each year, representing an extraordinarily positive impact on waste and plastic pollution targeting our precious Red Sea. Since then, the hotel has become the first completely plastic free hospitality venue in Egypt.
Amir Montassir of Quanta, the sole distributer of Brita water systems in Egypt, is very enthusiastic about the collaboration: “we love El Gouna, so there is a vested interest in seeing this wonderful town continue to lead in sustainable living. The town keeps making remarkable efforts and Brita is one of our ways to contribute. It feels very special for us to be part of this.”
Quanta establishes sustainable initiatives such as providing plant-based food and environmental solutions, so when it came to selecting the best for El Gouna and the Red Sea, Brita was an easy choice. Well in the market for decades, Brita has been continuously perfecting water filtration systems, even mastering the taste challenge of tea and coffee brewing. And with their world leading Vivreau dispenser technology, Brita brings clean, tasty and refreshingly eco-conscious drinking water in style!
Guest Feedback
Now isn’t just the right time; sustainable drinking water has become a mainstream necessity. The change was met with an overwhelmingly positive reception. Denis shares excitedly: “with our increased global awareness on the harmful implications of single-use plastic, the move overachieved international guests’ expectations. However, the supportive feedback from local visitors far exceeded our own. People love both the taste and the convenience of Brita”. From refillable bottles to versatile dispensers, Brita’s many ways of execution offer flexible eco-friendly drinking solutions.
The Beauty of Flexibility
Upon arrival, guests are given thermos bottles to reuse. They’re now so popular that many have been purchasing them to keep! Rooms are also more equipped than ever, with more glass bottles and carafes that are then refilled as needed. Still or sparkling variations add to the refreshing experiences and optimally meet each hydrating preference. El Gouna Hotels can now accommodate guests’ drinking needs with much more flexibility since adopting Brita.
Invaluably Sustainable
The ethical concerns of bottled water are well known. Brita is impacting a range of invaluable benefits in the hospitality industry, leading the way for greener practices. The effect of plastic waste on tourism is staggering. All-inclusive beaches are littered with plastic, causing extended harm to marine life and slowly damaging our precious ecosystems. Besides the obvious return on investment from sustainable drinking, dreams of a plastic free Red Sea are now becoming very much an approachable reality thanks to Brita.
A Greener Future
Sparked by Casa Cook’s leading initiative, the soon to be 6 hotels mark El Gouna as a change maker yet again. Hopefully, a ripple effect will follow from these pilots. Denis envisions bigger steps further ahead in the sustainable hospitality pipeline, including solar energy systems which will save fuel and electricity for a greener planet and even happier guests!
Read on to find out all about what makes El Gouna an award winning Green town that’s loving the planet in all the right ways.